Wednesday, 21 July 2010

World Popular Song Festival - Björn, Benny, Agnetha & Annifrid

In 1972 Björn, Benny, Agnetha & Annifrid represented Sweden at the World Popular Song Festival with the song Santa Rosa which didn't reach the Grand Final. Björn and Benny wrote the song but they didn't like it at all but the decision to perform it in the contest was actually made by their Japanese record company. Still, it did mean that the two couples were able to go to Japan and although they don’t appear on the record, Agnetha and Frida were asked to perform as backing vocals at the festival. But despite the female contribution, the Swedish entry stranded in the semi-final. Santa Rosa didn't become a hit and was only released as the b-side of the single He Is Your Brother.

Years later, ABBA declared that they didn't like Santa Rosa and Björn stated that the song wasn't meant to be recorded.